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MATANUSKA GLACIER:
Join us for a fun filled day
exploring the Matanuska Glacier. "The largest glacier accessible
by car in Alaska". The scenic two hour drive north east of
Anchorage on the Glenn Highway makes it an easy day trip from Anchorage.
(SEE MAP) The matanuska
is a beautiful valley glacier twenty four miles long and four miles
wide decending twelve thousand feet to the terminus. Nestled in
the breathtaking Chugach mountains. Our unique location gives us
some of the best weather in the state of Alaska.
It is a fifteen to
twenty minute hike to the ice for those who want to explore on
their own, or a fully guided glacier trek for those interested
in learning about glaciology and history. Ice climbing instruction
is also available.
MAP
:: Reasonable rates :: Glacier Access :: Gift Shop ::
Camping ::
:: Snacks :: Film:: Large Groups Welcome::
Glacier Park
Located at Mile 102 Glenn Hwy.
Open March to October 31st
off season by appointment only
1 800 253-4480 or 907 745-2534
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GLACIER
FACTS |
The Matanuska
Glacier is a large ice flow, 24 miles long and 4 miles wide
at the terminus, averaging approximately 2 miles in width.
This glacier is a valley glacier; it exists on a valley
floor. The majority of glaciers in Alaska today are smaller
alpine glaciers which hang off mountain slopes.
The Matanuska is an active glacier which advances at one
foot per day. It takes approximately 250 years for the ice
to form upglacier and advance to the terminus. The ice of
an active glacier always moves forward due to gravity; like
water in a river, the ice will flow downvalley. When ice
melts at a higher rate than snow accumulates, the glacier
margin 'recedes'. (The
term 'receding' does not refer to the ice actually travelling
back up the valley.)
A frequently asked question
concerns the cause of the blue ice. The density of glacier
ice allows the entire spectrum of light to be absorbed with
the exception of the blue light which is reflected, and
can therefore be seen by your eye.
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